Unintentional Drowning Associated with Multiple Cerebral Cavernous Malformations

Abstract

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), which occur in a sporadic or familial form, can predispose a person to seizures, focal neurological impairment, and hemorrhage. Upon discovery floating in a swimming pool, a 3-year-old boy was unresponsive and not breathing, but he achieved uneventful recovery after adequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Diagnostic head magnetic resonance imaging confirmed multiple CCMs. Absence of affected family members was indicative of the sporadic form. Subsequently, he developed social communication deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors, suggestive of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Comorbidity of CCMs and ASD is rare. Seizure associated with multiple CCMs might precipitate unintentional drowning.